Frame and index tab therefor



Patented Apr. 19, 1932 UNITE rm PATENT OFFICE FRANK D. POWELL, orCHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR 'ro ACME CARD SYSTEM 'coM- PANY, or CHICAGO,ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION or InLINoIs FRAME AN D INDEX TAB THEREFORApplication filed May 9, 1930. Serial No. 450,901.

The present invention relates more particularly to a novel constructionand method whereby an index tab is detachably mounted on a frame for usewith visible index or visi- 5 ble record equipment and the like. 7

In visible index and record equipment now in general use, index stripsor record cards are mounted in adjacent and/or overlapping relation onsuitable frames. It is the practice to pivotally mount these frames in asuitable stand whereby the various frames may be readily moved to thedesired position for reference. An index tab is positioned on the outeredge of each frame to facilitate refer ence to the data carried by theframe. Since it is often desiredto expand the index or record system,the index tabs must necessarily be changed to a different position uponthe frame or transferred to anotherframe, as the case may be. Thus,these index tabs should be readily removable from or attachable to theframe while at the ,same time the construction should be such that thetab when in place upon the frame should be locked against unintendeddisplacement.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a frame and indextab therefor having certain features of novelty and utility over thoseknown to the prior art.

In the specific embodiment of the present invention, one marginal edgeof a frame is provided with one or more slightly elongated apertures orslots opening to the edge thereof. The index tab preferably comprises ametal blank bent intermediate its ends and folded upon itself to formspaced parallel walls. A hook, formed by striking out one wall, projectsinwardly from the wall to provide a construction wherein the hook isdisposed between the opposed walls, said hook being adapted to beinserted in said slot in the marginal edge of the frame for engaging theindex tab on the frame.

The frame is preferably so constructed as to present fiat surfaces forengagement with the spaced. parallel walls of the tab whereby tofacilitate the engagement and disengagement of the index tab relative tothe frame.

The arrangement is preferably such that 5.0 a portion of the hook memberprojects downwardly below the base of the particular slot v:

in which the index tab is mounted whereby to prevent unintended sidewiseor downward dlsplacement.

' The invention is characterized by the ease following description.

7 In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view of an index or card record frame,illustrating the manner of attaching an index tab thereto according tothe present invention.

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 22 of Fig. 1 lookingin the direction of the arrows. V

Fig. 3 is an-enlarged fragmentary elevational view illustrating theindex tab attached to the frame.

Fig. 4 is a transverse section on line 4-4 of Fig.3.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken on line 55 of Fig.6.

Fig. 6 is an end elevational view looking intothe open end ofthe tab. 1

7 Referring more in detail to the drawings, 1 designatesas a whole asupporting frame for index strips, record cards, or the like, which maybe constructed substantially as follows:

1 view taken .A fiat web 2, of suitable material, such as metal, fibre,cardboard, or the like, may have mounted and secured upon itslongitudinal edges U-shaped spacing strips 3 (Fig. 2). Marginal members4 made of metal or the like may be folded over the spacing strips mentsmay take the form of indexstrips 6,

or may comprise record cards or the like.

The opposite ends of a pintle member 7 may extend beyond the upper andlower edges of the frame 1, whereby the latter may be pivotally mountedin a suitable stand (not shown). This pintle member 7 may be preferablysecured to the frame 1 by folding one of the marginal members 4 over thesame. The opposite marginal member 4 may be provided with one or moreapertures or slots 8 along its folded edge, the slots 8 being adapted tobe engaged by a hook S) projecting inwardly from a wall of the index tabdesignated as a whole 10.

This index tab 10 may be constructed as follows: A body portion 11 madefrom a a folded blank of sheet metal or the like may be provided withapertures 12 through which the index marker 12 may be viewed. This indexmarker may preferably be interposed between sheets of celluloid 13. Apiece of the'body portion 11 may be turned out to form a small tongue 11adapted to retain the celluloid sheets 13 and index marker 12- in properposition relative to the apertures 12.

The hook 9 is formed by the striln'ng or stamping out of one wall of thebody portion 11, preferably during the same operation in whch the bodyportion is formed, leaving an aperture 15 in that wall.

The index tab 10 may be secured to the frame 1 by means of one or morescrews 16 adapted to have threaded engagement with the opposite portionof the tab 10. The screw or screws 16 serve to cause the flanges 18 ofthe body portion 11 to firmly clamp the marginal members 1, whichflanges are preferably offset from the plane of the remainder of thebody portion 11 as illustrated at 19 (Fig. 2).

In the utilization of the device: I/Vhen it is necessary to change theposition of the index tab 10, the screw or screws 16 may be unscrewedsufficiently to permit disengagement of the flanges 18 from the marginalmember 4. The tab'is then slid upwardly until the hook 9 is disengagedfrom slot 8 of marginal member 4. Tab 10 may be remounted on marginalmember 4 at any point intermediate the length thereof by simply causingthe hook 9 to slip into one of the slots 8 of marginal member 1, andthereafter sliding tab 10 downwardly until said hook 9 engages the loweredge of slot 8, after which the screw or screws 16 may be tightened.

There is an important advantage in a construction wherein a hookassociated with a tab positively engages in a slot in a margin of aframe. Heretofore, in devices of this character, the grip between thetab and the frame was dependent entirely on the adjustment of screwssuch as illustrated at 16 in the present invention. In use, the tabswould become unintentionally disengaged, destroying entirely the valueof the tabs for their intended use.

It is to be understood that I do not wish to restrict the use of the tabof the present invention to index or card record equipment, or to theparticular type of frame illustrated.

I claim as my invention:

1. An index tab adapted for engagement with a frame having an apertureopening to a marginal edge, comprising a folded sheet of bendablematerial provided with parallel opposed walls, said walls beingapertured to receive an index marker and terminating in flanges adaptedto engage opposite faces of the marginal edge of said frame, an L shapedintegral hook struck up from one of the walls, whereby to engage in saidmarginal aperture.

2. An index tab adapted for engagement with a frame having an apertureopening to amarginal edge, comprising a folded sheet of bendablematerial provided with parallel opposed walls, said walls beingapertured to receive an index marker and terminating in flanges adaptedto engage opposite faces of the marginal edge of said frame, an L shapedintegral hook struck up from one of the walls and disposed between saidwalls whereby to engage in said marginal aperture.

3. An index tab adapted for engagement with a frame having an apertureopening to a marginal edge, comprising a folded sheet of bendablematerial provided with parallel opposed walls, said walls beingapertured to receive an index marker and terminating in flanges adaptedto engage opposite faces of the marginal edge of said frame, an L shapedintegral hook struck up from one of the walls and disposed between saidwalls whereby one leg of said struck up L engages in said marginalaperture.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

FRANK D. POWELL.

